A 14-year-old boy who is fighting off aggressive cancer for the third time will enjoy a dream holiday next week ahead of his biggest operation yet.

Neighbours and relatives of Luke Bottomley have pulled together to raise money to send him to a special retreat for seriously ill children in Blackpool.

The youngster is currently undergoing chemotherapy in a bid to shrink a tumour growing through his spine.

And on his return from holiday doctors at St James's Hospital in Leeds will try to remove the tumour from Luke's back, but the outcome of the surgery will remain unclear until the day of the operation.

Medics will try to take as much of the tumour away as they can, but total removal may prove impossible without causing serious damage to vital nerves.

But hopes are high that treatment will shrink the tumour enough to fully remove it.

Luke's mum, Ann Prest, said he was first diagnosed with cancer aged five, and after being clear for two-and-a-half years he was diagnosed again at seven.

This is now the third time he has had to fight the disease.

She said: "It was a big shock that it had come back again and he was getting really stressed out knowing what he has got to go through again, but if he didn't have the operation we wouldn't have him."

The mum-of-five said the holiday would be a big break for Luke, who has been unable to get insurance to go abroad in the past.

She said it was difficult to see Luke watching other children enjoying themselves without always being able to join in.

The two will leave their home on Raven Terrace in Allerton, Bradford, to get to Donna's Dream House in Blackpool next Monday.

As well as sightseeing in Blackpool - where the illuminations will be switched on - Luke will also get the chance to relax at the house, which has rooms full of toys and games.

Staff at the retreat are specially trained to be able to provide Luke with medical care.

"It's a dream holiday come true," he said.

Much of the trip and the surrounding fundraising events were organised by members of the Allerton and Lower Grange community. A bring-and-buy sale raised £200 spending money for Luke's trip.

And tomorrow at 6pm children paying into the Dreamcatcher Disco at Lower Grange Community Centre on Chaffinch Road in Allerton will be putting money towards the cause.

Another resident has been holding a door-to-door collection for the teenager's holiday.

Fundraiser Layla Al-Shabib said the community had pulled together to make the effort a success. She said: "I would like to say thank you."

To offer help to Luke and his family telephone (01274) 818265 or 07896068253.

e-mail: rebecca.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk